Outfielder Jurickson Profar and the Atlanta Braves agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract on Thursday, bringing the veteran off a breakout year to a team that has struggled in previous years to find a viable left fielder.
Profar, 31, was a revelation for the San Diego Padres last season, batting.280/.380/.459 with a career-high 24 home runs and 85 RBIs. Profar, formerly baseball’s top prospect, reached his first All-Star squad and won a Silver Slugger, all on a one-year, $1 million contract.
He cashed in with the Braves, who outbid other teams for Profar’s on-base abilities as well as his intensity, which enthralled Padres fans and enraged opposing fan bases.
Profar will join center fielder Michael Harris II and right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr., the 2023 National League MVP who had a damaged left ACL three years after damaging the ligament in his right knee. Without Acuña, the Braves’ offense regressed significantly from 2023, when they set a team record with a.501 slugging percentage.
The switch-hitters Profar can play anywhere in the lineup, but is expected to start the season at the top as Acuña recovers from his knee injury. Atlanta’s lineup also features All-Star third baseman Austin Riley, second baseman Ozzie Albies, and first baseman Matt Olson. Profar will get $12 million this year and $15 million in 2026, 2027.
Atlanta is usually one of baseball’s more active teams, striking early in free agency and through trades. After moving slugger Jorge Soler in late October, the Braves made minor league deals, sending starter Max Fried to the New York Yankees, starting Charlie Morton to the Baltimore Orioles, and reliever A.J. Minter to the New York Mets.
Profar is Atlanta’s first significant addition this winter, after squeezing into the playoffs at 89-73 and being swept by San Diego. He spent his whole 11-year big league career in the West division, making his debut with the Texas Rangers at the age of 19. Profar never achieved his promise there, moving to Oakland in 2019 before settling with the Padres. He went on to become a full-time outfielder. Profar’s career batting average is.245/.331/.395 with 111 home runs and 444 RBIs in 4,291 plate appearances.
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